Abstract

This study examined supply of vegetables and fruits into Uyo Urban Markets with a goal of understanding why fruits and vegetables are sold at expensive prices even in their respective harvesting season. The economic condition of Nigeria affects the price affordability, transport, availability and perishability of vegetable and fruits in Uyo market. 400 copies of questionnaires were administered to fruits/vegetable sellers across the four (4) political clans that make up Uyo Local Government Area. Six (6) markets were sampled from the list of 18 markets using fruits/vegetable traders, buyers, fruit supplement dealers and food vendors. The study used ANOVA to determine the variation between the quantity of vegetables and fruits supplied into Uyo urban markets and seasonality. Four objectives were used for the study to explore the challenges facing the supply of fruits and vegetables brought into Uyo urban markets. The result of the analysis of variance indicated that there was a remarkable difference between the mean square shown by the high value of the F-ratio. In other words, the null- hypothesis is rejected since the F-ratio was greater than the table value of 2.99. Hence, there is a significant variation between the quantity of vegetables and fruits supplied into Uyo urban markets at various seasons. This variation reflects in the non-availability and non-affordability of these fruits and vegetables for patients with special dietary needs.  Following the afore-listed constraint, it was suggested that if more attention is ejected towards provision of storage facility, farm input like fertilizer, pesticide as well as other favourable incentives that could create a productive environment for both fruit farmers and traders, the supply of vegetables and fruits would drastically increase.

Keywords: Vegetables and Fruits Inflation, persons with Special dietary care, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria